We want good relations; but India should not interfere in our affairs : Shafiqur Rehman

Statement of Jamaat-e-Islami party Chief Shafiqur Rehman

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami supremo Shafiqur Rahman has said his party seeks harmonious and stable ties with India but asserted that India needs to reconsider its foreign policy in the neighbourhood, as bilateral relations do not entail interfering in each other’s internal issues. He was speaking in an interview. “Our party is of the opinion that Bangladesh should build strong relations with all countries like America, China and Pakistan,” he said.

Shafiqur Rehman further said,

1. Jamaat-e-Islami is not against India !

India considers the Jamaat-e-Islami party to be anti-India; but this is wrong, it must change. Jamaat-e-Islami is not against any country. We are supporters of Bangladesh and only want to protect the interests of Bangladesh.

2. Sheikh Hasina should return to Bangladesh

If Sheikh Hasina had not resigned and gone to India, it would have been better. Sheikh Hasina should return to Bangladesh and face the law.

3. ‘India should review its foreign policy

India is our neighbour and we want good, stable and cordial bilateral relations with it; but India has done some things in the past, which did not please the people of Bangladesh. For example, during the Bangladesh elections in 2014, a senior Indian diplomatic official in Dhaka had said that, ‘Some should participate in the elections and some should not’. This is unacceptable. Neighbouring country should not do this. India should review its foreign policy and not interfere in the affairs of neighbouring countries.

4. ‘India did not notify that water is being released from the dam’

Regarding the floods in Bangladesh, Rehman said that, India should have notified earlier that water was being released from the dam so that we could have managed it better. Where there is a dam, there is no need for a dam. The water should have been allowed to flow naturally.

Hindus have not been attacked in Bangladesh because they are Hindus !

“We want to see good relations between Bangladesh and all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan. Shafiqur Rehman also stated that Hindus have not been attacked in Bangladesh because they are Hindus. (Shafiqur Rahman is of the attitude ‘Lie; but speak with confidence’ ! When Hindus are being hunted down and killed daily in Bangladesh, on what basis is Rehman making such an irresponsible statement ?)

Editorial Perspective

The strained relations between India and Bangladesh today are a result of India’s failure to intervene. India should have intervened, which would have prevented the current situation in Bangladesh, avoided attacks on Hindus, and maintained better relations between the two countries.